Illinois governor Bruce Rauner drank a glass of chocolate milk to prove he believes in diversity.
Rauner made an appearance at a Black History Month event hosted by Hyatt Hotel to discuss workplace diversity. He was there to assist Tyronne Stoudemire, Hyatt’s diversity and inclusion executive, who created the awkward metaphor, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Stoudemire, a Black man, poured milk into a glass to represent the white men who lead most organizations. Stoudemire then poured chocolate syrup into the glass, which collected at the bottom.
“This chocolate syrup represents diversity,” Stoudemire said. “When you look at most organizations, diversity sits at the bottom of the organization. You don’t get inclusion until you actually stir it up.”
Rauner stirred the concoction before Stoudemire concluded with “diversity is the mix, and inclusion is making the mix work.”
Rauner took a sip of the drink and proclaimed “it’s really, really good. Diversity!”
Got Diversity?
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner drinks chocolate milk to show how committed he is to racial diversity… pic.twitter.com/ggq1O8VqFb— Pluralist (@pluralistmedia) February 23, 2018
Stoudemire says he’s used this exercise for 16 years and typically chooses the most powerful person in the room as an assistant.
He insists that Rauner “didn’t know what he was getting into” and praised the politician for participating in the experiment.
“I give him credit for his willingness to step up and put himself out there,” said Stoudmire. “He could have said, 'No.'"
Rauner’s spokeswoman Rachel Bold refused to say if he was embarrassed by the event, but pointed out that this exercise and another were well received.
“This was the event moderator’s example of diversity that an audience of all ages could see and understand,” she said. “It was one of two demonstrations at the event, both of which received ovations from the crowd.”
